Plants That Fight Fleas And Ticks - Natural Flea Remedy
Summer means tick and flea season. Not only are these insects irritating for your dogs, but they spread disease. It is essential to protect pets and your family from these critters outdoors, but you don’t have to rely on harsh chemicals or medications. There are plenty of plants, maybe right in your garden, that repel fleas and ticks.
How to Make a Natural Flea and Tick Powder
A natural flea remedy and tick deterrent is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. Start with diatomaceous earth. This is a natural powder that kills insects by drying them. It absorbs moisture readily, so avoid getting it on, near, or in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Mix diatomaceous earth with dry neem, a product made from a tree native to India. It acts as a natural pesticide. Also, mix in dried material from plants that naturally repel fleas and ticks, and you have simple, safe product. Use equal amounts of each ingredient. Rub it into your dog’s fur to kill insects and repel them.
Plants That Fight Fleas and Ticks
These plants act like natural tick repellent and also deter fleas. Some you can use in your natural flea and tick powder. Just check with your veterinarian first to make sure you aren’t using anything toxic to animals. Also, use these as plantings around the garden to keep ticks and fleas at bay where your dog walks and plays.
Many herbs repel insects, so they can play double-duty, as a natural repellant and as part of a kitchen garden. Plant them in containers and you can move the herbs around to spots where you need them.
- Basil
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Chrysanthemum
- Eucalyptus
- Fleawort (plantain)
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
- Mint
- Pennyroyal
- Rosemary
- Rue
- Sage
- Tansy
- Thyme
- Wormwood
- Yarrow
Again, be aware of which plants are toxic. If you have pets that chew on leaves, be very cautious about where you put these. Your vet can tell you which plants are safe.
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Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.
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